Isshinryu: traditional and innovative?

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Created by Arcenio Advincula
Sensei, click to enlarge view.

A karate-ka asked what I perceive as a great question regarding the apparent diversities within the Isshinryu community. In a nutshell we have what I have termed in the past is “Isshinryu Factions.” These factions are divided into five distinct belief systems regarding the study, training and practice of the Okinawan Isshinryu system, i.e., Nagle Faction of New Jersey; Long and Wheeler Faction of Tennessee; Mitchum Faction of Georgia; Armstrong Faction of Washington State; Advincula Faction of Souther California. Everyone valid yet everyone different in very distinct ways. 

The question itself asked by Samuel Saddig Sensei: “There are a great, considerable amount of Isshin-Ryu practitioners, proponents and exponents believe that our Art is traditional, not innovative at all. What is your analytical Perception on this matter?” 

Since the question was asked of Advincula Sensei, of whom I have the greatest of respect and admiration for his work in Isshinryu communities, I would provide his comment, in part. 

AJA Sensei Comment: “Arcenio Advincula First it is both traditional and innovative. Most who studied with Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei only studied a very short time, the reason we have so many doing kihon, kata and kumite so many ways that do not teach the very fundamentals that Isshin-ryu karate is based on which is punching, striking and kicking with power based on chinkuchi.” (Note: if you click the name link it will take you to where this question was asked and commented on.)

My perceptions of Isshinryu in answering this question: First, as my understanding to date of the history behind the creation of Isshinryu I find it to be innovative if for no other reason then Tatsuo-san’s effort being in direct contradiction to the current, at the time of its creation and naming, Okinawan karate community governing body of masters. It was also my feeling it was innovative because at that time and due to its distinct separation from influences outside of Okinawa the innovative aspects implemented into the Isshinryu system by Tatsuo-san were merely re-acquiring those principles or traits that made and would continue to make his system both a combative form as well as a self-defense form of karate to replace the recently created educational version implemented in the early 1900s toward a war effort by Japan. 

As to traditional that is a very interesting and often contested question and answer, what makes for a traditional system and who decides. I tend to consider it traditional if for no other reason is the Isshinryu system was created from the more accepted traditions of Okinawan karate over some recreated form from influences of the Japanese budo systems. It has direct connections to those systems that taught, trained and inspired Tatsuo-san, a master of Okinawan karate in his own right and recognized regardless of his innovative changes, etc., by the karate community of the times, the systems of kobudo, goju and shorin karate systems. 

Regardless of the wide range of interpretations of the practice of Isshinryu the system from where I sit, train, practice and apply karate tell me it is truly a tradition that is also due to the founder or creators innovative inspiring effort to create a wholehearted, holistic and “one whole” true sport, fighting, combative and self-defense system. 

I can or could go on expressing the whys of Isshinryu being a traditional and innovative system or style of karate but there is no need. The above information gives the reader information to seek out more and to make their own determinations as to the validity of this. Traditional Isshinryu was a very innovative endeavor for the times Tatsuo-san developed, created and named Isshinryu. There are so many things to learn from this type of innovative creative endeavor that Tatsuo-san exemplified as well as conveyed by his teachings and presentation of things like the ken-po goku-i. 

Like “All bottles are good, they all serve a purpose,” as stated one evening by Tatsuo-san, all the differences are good, they all serve a purpose and they all create a legend that is Tatsuo Shimabuku, master of Isshinryu as well as this legendary system named, “Isshinryu!”

Bibliography (Click the link)